Christopher Stevens filed his Notice of Appeal with the trial court on June 26, 2025, after being sentenced to 2–3 years in MCI Shirley (Shirley, Massachusetts) Prison for stalking, witness tampering, and unlawful wiretapping of Greenfield, Massachusetts case worker Michelle Emery.
Christopher Stevens is a single father that was railroaded by Greenfield, Massachusetts Department of Children and Families and the judicial system.
The Trial
I attended the trial of Christopher Stevens, which began on April 28, 2025, and concluded on May 2, 2025. On the first day, case worker Michelle Emery from Greenfield DCF -Department of Children and Families testified. I expected her to describe Stevens as rude, arrogant, and abusive. Instead, Emery went into detail about how Stevens had been compliant with DCF -Department of Children and Families. She testified that he followed every requirement from the department for a year and a half without complaint. Emery recounted one instance when she asked Stevens to clean up an area around his house, and he immediately complied.
I was stunned when she admitted:
“It wasn’t until I changed the case plan from reunification to adoption that Stevens’ attitude changed.”
She went on to say that she did not want to change the plan, and that there was no reason to move toward adoption.
This directly violated Massachusetts State Law, MGL c. 119, § 1 (Declaration of Policy), which states that DCF- Department of Children and Families must direct efforts to keep children safely with their parents or family members whenever possible. When removal is necessary, placements should support reunification or permanency within the extended family, such as through kinship care, guardianship, or adoption.
The violations did not end there.
The Prosecution
District Attorney Steven Gagne of Northampton, Massachusetts delivered what could have won an Oscar for his performance portraying Christopher Stevens as a white supremacist. Yet, the trial presented no evidence that Stevens stalked, harassed, or intimidated a witness. The wiretapping charge stemmed from Stevens recording a visit during which Emery allegedly lied to the court.
The prosecution’s “evidence” largely consisted of emails Stevens had sent Emery about systemic failures in foster care, including articles about children who died in state custody. He also sent her the song “Guilty Until Proven Innocent” by Jay-Z.
When Gagne played the song in court, Emery cried on the stand. It felt like an orchestrated performance.
The Defense
Christopher Burns of Burns Legal Services represented Stevens. However, Judge John Agostini repeatedly blocked his attempts to present evidence to the jury. Burns was prevented from showing the original version of a photo that had been altered to depict Stevens as racist. In the authentic picture, Stevens was at the Capitol with an African American friend—who was cropped out of the manipulated image.
Despite this, Stevens was labeled a white supremacist and a societal threat. Judge Agostini also denied the introduction of emails where Stevens clarified that he was not threatening Ms. Emery with physical or verbal harm but was instead preparing to file a lawsuit against DCF and the judicial system.
True to his word, Stevens later filed that lawsuit, naming judges, attorneys, DA Steven Gagne, Attorney General Andrea Campbell, and Greenfield DCF. But discussion of the lawsuit was barred during the trial.
Even witnesses who were ready to testify on Stevens’ behalf were denied the opportunity.
So, who is the real victim in this story?
The Daughter’s Testimony (Barred at Sentencing)
Stevens’ daughter was denied the opportunity to read this letter at his sentencing on May 28, 2025:
I am writing this testimony to speak from the heart about my father — a man who is not only loving and caring, but also my best friend. He has always been there for me, supporting and guiding me through life with patience, strength, and unconditional love.
My father has done nothing but fight for his family. He has faced obstacles that would break most people, yet he continues to stand strong, driven by love and the desire to keep our family together. He is a hardworking provider who never complains, and he always puts our well-being above his own. He’s not just a father — he’s a role model, a protector, and someone I look up to every single day.
More than anything, my father’s main goal in life has always been protecting children. He cares so deeply about the safety and well-being of kids — not just his own, but all children. It’s a cause that truly defines who he is.
Despite the case against him, I want to speak clearly: the man I know is not violent. His nature is calm, kind, and deeply caring. I’ve only ever seen him handle life’s challenges with patience and dignity.
The truth is, because of the system locking up my dad and keeping him out of the state I live in, he’s missed so many of the biggest moments of my life… And now, if you lock him up again, he will miss even more.
My father means the world to me. He is a good man, and he deserves the chance to continue being the loving, supportive father and friend that he has always been.
Statement from Christopher Stevens
The whole trial was a setup; they blocked all of our information. I had hundreds of pages of evidence showing the true story. I have now learned that this was a Brady violation — exculpatory evidence was withheld. This was one hundred percent retaliation for my filing the lawsuit and going after the family court.
Statement from Christopher Burns – Burns Legal Services
We are currently waiting for a briefing schedule; however, the issues we anticipate raising on appeal would include the argument that it was reversible error for the trial court to exclude our request to introduce the songs and lyrics, which the witness said threatened and intimidated her.
It was also reversible error to exclude witnesses and evidence of the underlying civil rights case filed by Chris Stevens against multiple state agencies including DCF.
And, his conviction for unlawful wiretapping should be overturned, as the First Amendment includes the right to record state employees in the course of their official duties.
Christopher Burns
Burns Legal Services
📞 603-966-5770
🌐 www.verituslegal.com
Wow! The taking of his daughter and the charges are just wicked and unacceptable. They are all egregious criminals who participated in this kidnapping and false prosecution. Fatherhood is not a crime. Let the guy take care of his family!
MA is crazy corrupt. here to support however we can. #trashachusetts